Signs your child might be being bullied

No one should have to put up with bullying. It can make people feel unsafe at school and miserable when they get home.

Read the following to help you understand if someone you know is being bullied. 

Emotional and behavioural signs

  • Changes in sleep patterns
  • Changes in eating patterns
  • Frequent tears or anger
  • Mood swings
  • Feels ill in the morning
  • Becomes withdrawn or starts stammering
  • Becomes aggressive and unreasonable
  • Refuses to talk about what is wrong
  • Begins to target siblings
  • Continually 'loses' money or starts stealing.

Physical signs

  • Has unexplained bruises, cuts, scratches
  • Comes home with missing or damaged belongings or clothes
  • Comes home hungry.

School signs

  • Doesn't want to go to school
  • Changes their route to school or are frightened of walking to school
  • Doesn't want to go to school on the bus/tram/train
  • School grades begin to fall.

Other signs

Sometimes bullying can be far more hidden. The signs include:

  • Often alone or excluded from friendship groups at school
  • A frequent target for teasing, mimicking or ridicule at school
  • Unable to speak up in class and appears insecure or frightened.

 

If you or someone you know is being bullied, there are ways you can help:

Things you can do if your child is being bullied.

Top tips for kids.